Is it possible to get a high quality and well padded gig bag that will fit my Tribute nicely? I know the case is the best protection, but it is very large and not always convenient for practices and gigs.

I am going to try a ProTec bag they had at Alembic. It sounds like pretty good protection on the sides and back, with a pocket, etc..., and Valentino grabbed a Tribute they had on hand and made sure it fit for me. I LOVE the customer service at Alembic, so I felt it was only right to buy the gig bag from them. But I will look around for the future. My experience with gig bags (Ritter) is that they fall apart sooner or later. I've heard that Reunion Blues bags are very nice and last a long time.